Proposal to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup

U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli has formally suggested that FIFA replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup hosted by the United States. Zampolli claimed he proposed this to President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a measure to improve diplomatic relations between Washington and Rome. These relations reportedly soured following comments made by Trump regarding Pope Leo XIV amidst the ongoing conflict in Iran. Italy failed to qualify for the tournament after a playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Iran has qualified but requested that its group stage matches be moved to Mexico. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has maintained that the tournament schedule will remain unchanged and that all matches will proceed as planned in the U.S. Neither the White House, FIFA, nor the Italian Football Federation have provided an official response to the proposal. Meanwhile, the Iranian Football Federation confirmed that its national team is continuing tournament preparations according to official directives. Should a substitution occur, it remains unclear how FIFA would justify the move given existing qualification protocols.